Paris Travel Guide 2026: Top Attractions & Tips for Indians

Paris — the City of Light — is the world's most visited city, and for good reason. From the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, from croissants to couture, Paris delivers on every level. Here is your complete guide as an Indian traveller in 2025.

Getting to Paris from India

Direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Airport:

• Air India: ~9 hours direct
• Air France: direct from Delhi and Mumbai
• Connecting: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad via Gulf hubs (~13–16 hours)

Approximate fares: ₹45,000–90,000 return (economy, book 2–3 months ahead)

Visa Required: Schengen France

Indians need a Schengen visa. Apply at the VFS France centre in your city. France is one of the most popular Schengen applications — book an appointment 6–8 weeks in advance.

For full visa guidance, read our Schengen Visa Guide.

Getting Around Paris

• Metro: 16 lines, €2.15 per single journey. Buy a Navigo Semaine (weekly pass, ~€30) for unlimited travel — far cheaper if you're staying 4+ days.
• RER B: From CDG Airport to central Paris (~35 minutes, €12.10).
• Taxi/Uber: Around €50–70 from CDG to central Paris.
• Walking: Central Paris is very walkable. The Seine divides the Right Bank (north) and Left Bank (south).

Top Attractions in Paris

Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)

The symbol of France. Book tickets online at eiffel-tower.com weeks in advance — skip-the-line tickets sell out fast.

• 1st Floor: Glass floor, restaurants
• 2nd Floor: Views over all Paris
• Summit: 360° panorama (book summit tickets specifically)
• Best time: Sunset + the 10-minute light show after dark (every hour on the hour)

The Louvre Museum

The world's largest art museum. Home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory.

• Book online (€22 per adult, free under 18 and for EU residents under 26)
• Spend at least 3–4 hours. The museum has 35,000 works on display.
• Enter through the Pyramid or use the Carrousel du Louvre underground entrance for shorter queues.

Musée d'Orsay

The world's best Impressionist collection — Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, Degas.

• Former railway station, stunning architecture
• Book in advance (€16)

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Currently under restoration after the 2019 fire — reopened December 2024 in all its restored glory. A must-visit.

Versailles (Day Trip — 40 min from Paris)

The Palace of Versailles and its gardens are unmissable.

• Take RER C from Pont de l'Alma (€7.20 return)
• Buy a Passport ticket (€20) covering palace + Gardens + Trianon
• Go early — crowds build by 10 AM
• The fountains run on certain days (check the schedule — called "Musical Fountains")

Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur

Bohemian hilltop neighbourhood with the white-domed Sacré-Cœur basilica.

• Funicular (metro ticket valid) or steep stairs up
• Stunning views of Paris. Artists still paint in Place du Tertre.
• Moulin Rouge is at the base of the hill (cabaret tickets: €115+)

Seine River Cruise

Bateaux Parisiens or Bateaux Mouches offer 1-hour Seine cruises (€15–17). The night cruise past illuminated monuments is magical.

Food Guide for Indians in Paris

Paris is not the most vegetarian-friendly city, but things have improved.

Safe vegetarian options:

• Crêpes (sweet: Nutella, butter/sugar; savoury: cheese — specify "sans viande")
• Quiche Lorraine (egg and cheese — ask for no lardons)
• Omelette at any café
• Ratatouille (classic Provençal vegetable stew)
• Salads: Salade Niçoise (request no tuna/eggs if vegan)
• Falafel: The Marais (4th arrondissement) has the best falafel street in Paris — L'As du Fallafel is legendary

Indian restaurants in Paris:

• Saravanaa Bhavan (South Indian chain) — Passage Brady area
• Passage Brady (Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis): "Little India" of Paris — dozens of Tamil/Indian restaurants

Bakeries (boulangeries):

• Croissant, pain au chocolat, baguette — the quintessential Paris breakfast (€1–3 each)

Best Areas to Stay

Arrondissement	Character	Good For
1st/2nd	Central, Louvre	First-timers, shopping
4th (Marais)	Historic, LGBTQ+	Culture, cafes
6th (Saint-Germain)	Intellectual, chic	Ambience, bookshops
8th (Champs-Élysées)	Luxury, grand	Luxury travel
18th (Montmartre)	Bohemian, hilly	Budget, local vibe

Paris Budget Guide for Indians

Category	Per Person/Night
Budget (2–3* hotel/hostel)	₹4,000–8,000
Mid-range (3–4* hotel)	₹9,000–18,000
Luxury (5* hotel)	₹30,000–1,00,000+

Daily expenses (food + transport): ₹3,000–6,000 (budget) to ₹10,000+ (splurge)

Best Time to Visit Paris

• April–June: Best weather, cherry blossoms, manageable crowds
• September–October: Warm, fewer tourists than summer, fashion week energy
• December: Christmas markets and festive lights (cold but magical)
• July–August: Peak tourist season — very crowded, some restaurants close in August

5-Day Paris Itinerary at a Glance

• Day 1: Eiffel Tower (morning) → Seine Cruise (afternoon) → Champs-Élysées & Arc de Triomphe (evening)
• Day 2: Louvre (morning, 3+ hours) → Tuileries Garden → Musée d'Orsay (afternoon)
• Day 3: Versailles full day
• Day 4: Montmartre → Sacré-Cœur → Marais district → falafel lunch → Notre-Dame
• Day 5: Shopping (Galeries Lafayette, Passage Brady) → Departure

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